Mira Johnson stared out her bedroom window, watching the neighborhood kids play kickball in the street. Her fingers absently traced the raised scar on her forearm - a permanent reminder of why she kept her distance. At thirteen, she was old enough to join them, but young enough that the isolation still stung.
A commotion drew her attention. Ethan, the scrawny boy from two houses down, was backing away from Tyler and his crew. Even from her second-story vantage point, Mira could see the fear in Ethan’s eyes.
“Come on, dweeb. Don’t you want to play with us?” Tyler’s mocking tone carried clearly in the quiet suburban air.
Mira’s jaw clenched. She’d seen this scenario play out too many times before. Part of her wanted to rush down there and intervene, but the memory of searing pain held her back. The last time she’d tried to help someone…
A strangled yelp snapped her out of the recollection. Tyler had grabbed Ethan’s shirt, yanking him close. “I asked you a question, runt!”
Before Mira realized what she was doing, she was pounding down the stairs. Her mother called out from the kitchen, but Mira was already out the front door, bare feet slapping against sun-warmed asphalt.
“Hey!” she shouted. “Leave him alone!”
Tyler’s head snapped up, surprise flickering across his face before settling into a sneer. “Well, well. If it isn’t the freak. Come to join the fun?”
Mira’s hands balled into fists at her sides. “Let. Him. Go.”
“Or what?” Tyler laughed, shoving Ethan to the ground. “You gonna set me on fire?”
The taunt hit its mark. Mira flinched, her resolve wavering. But then she saw Ethan’s terrified face, and something inside her snapped.
“I said,” she growled, taking a step forward, “leave him alone.”
A strange tingling sensation spread through her body, starting at her core and radiating outward. The air around her seemed to shimmer, like heat waves rising from hot pavement.
Tyler’s eyes widened. He took an involuntary step back. “What the-”
Mira thrust her hands forward, not entirely sure what she was doing but driven by an instinct she didn’t understand. A gust of wind erupted from her palms, far stronger than any natural breeze. It slammed into Tyler, lifting him off his feet and sending him tumbling backward.
For a moment, everything was still. Tyler’s friends gaped at Mira, then at their fallen leader. Ethan stared up at her, mouth agape.
Then chaos erupted.
Kids scattered in all directions, screaming about witches and monsters. Tyler scrambled to his feet and took off running, not even bothering to check if his cronies were following.
Mira stood frozen, staring at her hands in disbelief. What had just happened?
“That… that was amazing!” Ethan’s awestruck voice broke through her shock. He was on his feet now, eyes shining with admiration. “How did you do that?”
“I… I don’t know,” Mira stammered. The tingling sensation was fading, leaving her feeling drained and slightly dizzy.
A door slammed, and Mira’s mother came rushing out of the house. “Mira! What’s going on? Are you alright?”
Mira turned to face her mom, still struggling to process what had just occurred. “I’m fine, Mom. I just…” She trailed off, unsure how to explain.
Her mother’s eyes darted between Mira and Ethan, taking in the scene. “Both of you, inside. Now.”
As they followed Mrs. Johnson into the house, Ethan leaned close to Mira. “Thanks,” he whispered. “For saving me.”
Mira managed a shaky smile. “You’re welcome.”
Little did either of them know, this was just the beginning of a journey that would change their lives - and their quiet cul-de-sac - forever.
“Absolutely not.” Mira’s mother paced the living room, shaking her head emphatically. “We are not going through this again.”
Mira sat on the couch, hands clasped tightly in her lap. Ethan perched awkwardly on an armchair, looking like he wasn’t sure if he should be there.
“But Mom,” Mira protested, “I didn’t mean to! It just… happened.”
Mrs. Johnson stopped pacing and fixed her daughter with a stern look. “That’s exactly the problem, Mira. You can’t control it. And after last time…” She trailed off, her eyes flicking to Mira’s scarred arm.
Mira unconsciously tugged her sleeve down. “This was different,” she insisted. “I didn’t get hurt. And I helped Ethan!”
At the sound of his name, Ethan straightened up. “It’s true, Mrs. Johnson. Those guys were going to beat me up, but Mira stopped them. It was like… like she had superpowers or something!”
Mrs. Johnson’s expression softened slightly as she looked at the boy. “I’m glad you’re alright, Ethan. But what Mira did was dangerous. For all of you.”
“How is it dangerous if I’m helping people?” Mira demanded, frustration building. “Shouldn’t I use… whatever this is… to do good?”
Her mother sighed heavily, sinking into a chair. “Honey, I know you want to help. But you don’t understand the risks. Your father-”
“What about Dad?” Mira interrupted, leaning forward eagerly. It was rare for her mother to mention him at all.
Mrs. Johnson pressed her lips together, clearly regretting the slip. After a long moment, she spoke carefully. “Your father had… abilities… like yours. He thought he could use them to make the world better. But in the end, they only brought pain.”
Mira’s mind reeled. Her father, the man she barely remembered, had powers too? “What happened to him?” she asked quietly.
Her mother’s eyes glistened with unshed tears. “He’s gone, sweetheart. And I can’t lose you too.”
The room fell silent, the weight of unspoken history hanging heavy in the air. Ethan shifted uncomfortably, clearly feeling like an intruder on this family moment.
Finally, Mira spoke. “I’m sorry, Mom. I didn’t mean to scare you. But… I can’t just ignore this. Not now that I know what I can do.”
Mrs. Johnson opened her mouth to argue, but Mira pressed on. “What if we found someone who could teach me? Someone who knows about this stuff and could help me control it?”
Her mother’s brow furrowed. “I don’t know anyone like that, Mira. Your father’s… colleagues… they’re long gone.”
“What about Ms. Leung?” Ethan piped up suddenly. When both Johnsons turned to look at him, he shrank back slightly but continued. “The librarian? I’ve seen her do some weird stuff with books sometimes. Like, making them float and stuff. I always thought I was imagining it, but…”
Mrs. Johnson’s eyebrows shot up. “Amelia Leung? From the public library?”
Ethan nodded vigorously. “Yeah! She’s super nice, but kind of mysterious. Maybe she could help?”
Mira looked at her mother pleadingly. “Can we at least talk to her? Please?”
For a long moment, Mrs. Johnson was silent, conflict clear on her face. Finally, she let out a resigned sigh. “We can talk to her. But!” she added quickly as Mira’s face lit up, “That doesn’t mean I’m agreeing to anything. We’ll see what she has to say first.”
Mira nodded eagerly. “Thank you, Mom!”
As the tension in the room dissipated, Ethan stood up awkwardly. “I should probably get home. My mom’s gonna wonder where I am.”
“Of course,” Mrs. Johnson said, her usual warm demeanor returning. “And Ethan? Let’s keep what happened today between us for now, okay?”
Ethan nodded solemnly. “Yes, ma’am. My lips are sealed.” He turned to Mira, a shy smile on his face. “Thanks again, Mira. You were amazing out there.”
As Ethan left, Mira felt a warmth in her chest that had nothing to do with her newfound abilities. For the first time in years, she felt like she might have made a friend.
Her mother’s voice pulled her from her thoughts. “Mira, honey? We need to talk about some ground rules.”
Mira nodded, settling in for what was sure to be a long discussion. But her mind was already racing ahead, wondering what other secrets Ms. Leung - and her own past - might hold.
The next morning, Mira stood in front of her closet, agonizing over what to wear. It was silly, she knew - Ms. Leung had seen her in all sorts of outfits over the years of library visits. But somehow, this felt different. More important.
She finally settled on a flowy bohemian-style dress that had been a hand-me-down from her cousin. It made her feel a little magical, which seemed appropriate for the occasion.
As she headed downstairs, voices drifted up from the kitchen. She paused on the landing, listening.
“…just don’t want to get her hopes up, Sarah.” It was her mother, sounding tired and worried.
“I understand your concerns,” came another voice - Aunt Sarah? “But you can’t keep her in the dark forever. She deserves to know about her heritage.”
Mira’s breath caught. Her heritage? What did that mean?
Her mother sighed heavily. “I know. I just… I wanted to protect her. After what happened with James-”
“Mira’s not James,” Aunt Sarah interrupted gently. “And she’s not a little girl anymore. Give her a chance to understand her gifts.”
Gifts. The word sent a shiver down Mira’s spine. So there was more to this than just a strange, one-time occurrence.
She must have made a noise, because suddenly both women fell silent. Mira quickly continued down the stairs, trying to look nonchalant.
“Morning, Mom,” she called out as she entered the kitchen. “Hi, Aunt Sarah! I didn’t know you were coming over.”
Her aunt, a willowy woman with streaks of silver in her dark hair, smiled warmly. “Good morning, sweetheart. I thought I’d tag along to the library today, if that’s alright with you.”
Mira nodded eagerly. “Of course! The more the merrier, right?”
Her mother gave a tight smile. “Breakfast first. I made pancakes.”
As they ate, Mira’s mind buzzed with questions. What did Aunt Sarah know about all of this? And why hadn’t anyone told her before?
The drive to the library was tense, filled with awkward small talk that did little to mask the underlying anxiety. As they pulled into the parking lot, Mira’s stomach churned with a mix of excitement and nerves.
The library was quiet this early on a Saturday morning. Ms. Leung looked up from the circulation desk as they entered, her eyebrows rising slightly at the sight of all three of them.
“Good morning,” she said pleasantly. “What brings the Johnson family in today?”
Mira’s mother stepped forward. “Amelia. We were hoping we could speak with you privately. It’s… a delicate matter.”
Understanding flickered in Ms. Leung’s eyes. She nodded, gesturing towards a door marked ‘Staff Only’. “Of course. Follow me.”
The back room was cozy, lined with bookshelves and dotted with comfortable armchairs. Ms. Leung settled into one, regarding them curiously.
“Now,” she said, “what seems to be the trouble?”
Mira took a deep breath. “I… I think I have magic powers.”
To her surprise, Ms. Leung didn’t look shocked or skeptical. Instead, a small smile played at the corners of her mouth. “I see,” she said softly. “And what makes you think that, Mira?”
Haltingly at first, but then with growing confidence, Mira recounted the incident with Tyler and Ethan. As she spoke, Ms. Leung’s eyes grew increasingly bright with interest.
When Mira finished, the librarian turned to her mother. “And you, Claire? What do you make of all this?”
Mrs. Johnson twisted her hands in her lap. “I… I’m afraid,” she admitted. “After what happened with James…”
Ms. Leung nodded sympathetically. “Of course. But surely you knew this day might come?”
Mira’s head snapped up. “What do you mean? Did you know about this?”
The adults exchanged glances. Finally, Aunt Sarah spoke. “Mira, honey. There’s a lot we need to tell you about your family history.”
For the next hour, Mira listened in stunned silence as her aunt and Ms. Leung unraveled a tale that seemed more like fantasy than reality. Magic, it turned out, ran in her family - passed down through generations, manifesting in different ways for different people.
Her father, she learned, had been particularly gifted. But his powers had also been volatile, dangerous when not properly controlled. The accident that had taken his life - and nearly taken Mira’s arm - had been the result of a spell gone terribly wrong.
“That’s why your mother has been so cautious,” Aunt Sarah explained gently. “She wanted to protect you from the risks.”
Mira turned to her mother, seeing the pain and fear etched in every line of her face. “Mom,” she said softly, “I’m so sorry. I had no idea.”
Mrs. Johnson managed a watery smile. “Oh, sweetheart. You have nothing to be sorry for. I’m the one who should apologize. I should have told you the truth long ago.”
Ms. Leung leaned forward, her gaze intense. “The question now, Mira, is what you want to do with this knowledge. Your powers are awakening, whether you’re ready or not. Ignoring them won’t make them go away - it will only make them harder to control.”
Mira took a deep breath, looking around at the three women who had just upended her entire understanding of the world. “I want to learn,” she said firmly. “I want to understand my powers, and how to use them safely.”
She turned to her mother. “I promise I’ll be careful, Mom. I don’t want to scare you, but… this is part of who I am. I need to know how to handle it.”
For a long moment, Mrs. Johnson was silent. Then, slowly, she nodded. “Alright,” she said softly. “We’ll figure this out together.”
Ms. Leung clapped her hands together, a bright smile breaking across her face. “Excellent! We’ll start with the basics - meditation and energy control. And of course, we’ll need to get you some proper books on magical theory.”
As the librarian bustled off to gather materials, Mira felt a weight lift from her shoulders. For the first time in years, she felt like she truly belonged somewhere.
She caught Aunt Sarah’s eye and grinned. Whatever challenges lay ahead, she was ready to face them. The Cul-de-Sac Crusader was just getting started.
Over the next few weeks, Mira’s life transformed in ways she never could have imagined. Every day after school, she hurried to the library for lessons with Ms. Leung. The kindly librarian turned out to be a strict but patient teacher, guiding Mira through the fundamentals of magical practice.
“Magic is all about intent and focus,” Ms. Leung explained during their first real lesson. “The power comes from within you, but you have to learn to channel it properly.”
Mira nodded eagerly, hanging on every word. They sat cross-legged on cushions in a hidden corner of the library’s basement - a space Ms. Leung had enchanted for privacy.
“Now,” the librarian continued, “close your eyes and focus on your breathing. Try to feel the energy flowing through your body.”
At first, Mira felt silly. But as she concentrated, she began to sense something - a warm, tingling sensation not unlike what she’d felt when defending Ethan.
“I feel it!” she exclaimed, eyes flying open.
Ms. Leung smiled. “Excellent. That’s your magical core - the wellspring of your power. Learning to access and control that energy is the key to mastering your abilities.”
As the days passed, Mira threw herself into her studies with a passion that surprised even herself. She practiced meditation techniques, learned to manipulate small objects with her mind, and devoured every book on magical theory that Ms. Leung recommended.
Her mother, true to her word, supported Mira’s efforts - albeit with a constant undercurrent of worry. She insisted on sitting in on some of the lessons, peppering Ms. Leung with questions about safety precautions.
Aunt Sarah became a frequent visitor, sharing stories about the magical exploits of their ancestors. Mira was fascinated to learn that her great-grandmother had been a renowned healer, capable of curing ailments that baffled modern medicine.
But the biggest surprise came from Ethan. Far from being scared off by Mira’s revelation, he became her most enthusiastic cheerleader.
“So, what did you learn today?” he would ask eagerly, falling into step beside her as they walked home from school.
Mira found herself looking forward to these conversations. It was a relief to have someone her own age to talk to about all of this - someone who didn’t treat her like she was made of glass.
One afternoon, about a month into her training, Ethan caught up with her on their usual route home. But something was off - his normally cheerful demeanor was subdued, his eyes darting nervously.
“Everything okay?” Mira asked, concerned.
Ethan hesitated, then blurted out, “Tyler’s been asking about you.”
Mira felt a chill run down her spine. She hadn’t seen the bully since the incident, and she’d hoped he’d simply decided to leave her alone.
“What… what did he say?” she asked cautiously.
Ethan kicked at a pebble on the sidewalk. “He cornered me after gym class. Wanted to know if I’d seen you do any more ‘freaky stuff’. I didn’t tell him anything!” he added quickly. “But… I think he’s planning something.”
Mira’s mind raced. She’d been so focused on her training, she hadn’t considered the possibility of Tyler seeking revenge.
“Thanks for telling me,” she said, trying to keep her voice steady. “I’ll be careful.”
Ethan looked at her worriedly. “Maybe you should tell Ms. Leung? Or your mom?”
Mira shook her head. “Not yet. I don’t want them to freak out. Besides,” she added with a confidence she didn’t entirely feel, “I can handle Tyler.”
As they reached the entrance to their cul-de-sac, a commotion near the Johnson house caught their attention. A group of kids were gathered on the lawn, shouting and laughing.
With a sinking feeling, Mira realized what was happening. Tyler and his crew had toilet-papered her house, draping long streamers of white across the trees and bushes. Crude signs were staked in the grass, bearing messages like “FREAK LIVES HERE” and “BEWARE OF WITCH”.
Anger surged through Mira, hot and fierce. She felt her magical energy responding, crackling just beneath her skin.
“Mira,” Ethan said warningly, clearly sensing the shift in her demeanor. “Remember what Ms. Leung said about control.”
But Mira was already striding forward, fists clenched at her sides. Tyler turned as she approached, a nasty grin spreading across his face.
“Well, if it isn’t the freak herself!” he called out. “Come to put on another show for us?”
Mira stopped a few feet away, glaring up at the older boy. “Leave. Now.”
Tyler’s grin widened. “Or what? You gonna use your witchy powers on me?” He made exaggerated spooky gestures with his hands. “Ooh, I’m so scared!”
The other kids laughed, emboldened by their leader’s bravado. Mira felt her control slipping, the magical energy inside her surging dangerously.
“I’m warning you, Tyler,” she growled. “Get off my property.”
“Make me,” he sneered, shoving her roughly.
It was the last straw. Mira’s tenuous hold on her power snapped. Wind whipped around her, picking up fallen leaves and swirling them in a vortex. The temperature dropped sharply, frost crackling across the grass.
Tyler’s eyes widened in genuine fear. He stumbled backward, nearly tripping over his own feet. “What the hell?”
Mira advanced on him, eyes blazing with an otherworldly light. “I told you to leave,” she said, her voice eerily calm.
The other kids scattered, screaming in terror. Tyler tried to run, but slipped on the icy grass. He fell hard, looking up at Mira with naked panic on his face.
“Please,” he whimpered. “I’m sorry! I didn’t mean-”
“Mira, stop!”
The shout cut through her rage-induced haze. Mira blinked, the unnatural light fading from her eyes. She turned to see Ethan running towards her, face pale with worry.
“This isn’t you,” he said, reaching out to grasp her arm. “You’re better than this.”
The touch seemed to break whatever spell had taken hold of her. Mira gasped, the wind dying down as suddenly as it had sprung up. She looked around, taking in the destruction she’d nearly caused.
“Oh god,” she whispered, horrified. “What did I almost do?”
Tyler scrambled to his feet, backing away slowly. “You’re insane,” he said, voice shaking. “Stay away from me!” He turned and ran, not looking back.
Mira sank to her knees, overwhelmed by the magnitude of what had just happened. Ethan knelt beside her, wrapping an arm around her shoulders.
“It’s okay,” he said softly. “You stopped. That’s what matters.”
But Mira shook her head, tears welling in her eyes. “No, it’s not okay. I lost control. I could have really hurt someone.”
She looked up at her house, at the toilet paper fluttering in the breeze and the cruel signs dotting the lawn. “What am I going to tell my mom?”
As if on cue, the front door flew open. Mrs. Johnson rushed out, taking in the scene with wide eyes. “Mira? What happened?”
Mira opened her mouth, but no words came out. How could she explain this?
To her surprise, it was Ethan who spoke up. “It was Tyler and his friends, Mrs. Johnson. They vandalized your house. Mira… Mira scared them off.”
Mrs. Johnson’s gaze softened as she looked at her daughter’s tear-streaked face. “Oh, sweetheart. Are you alright?”
Mira shook her head miserably. “I’m so sorry, Mom. I didn’t mean to… I just got so angry…”
Her mother knelt down, pulling her into a tight hug. “Shh, it’s okay. We’ll figure this out.”
As they sat there on the frost-covered grass, Mira knew things would never be the same. She had tasted the full extent of her power - and it terrified her.
But with her mother’s arms around her and Ethan’s steadying presence at her side, she also knew she wasn’t alone. Whatever challenges lay ahead, she would face them with the support of those who truly cared about her.
The Cul-de-Sac Crusader had stumbled, but she wasn’t defeated yet.
The aftermath of the incident with Tyler was both better and worse than Mira had feared. On one hand, the bully and his friends gave her a wide berth at school, clearly terrified of provoking her again. The whispers and stares that followed her through the hallways were almost worth it for the peace it bought her.
On the other hand, the display of power had shaken Mira to her core. She found herself hesitant to use even the simplest spells during her lessons with Ms. Leung, afraid of losing control again.
“Magic responds to emotion,” the librarian explained gently one afternoon, after Mira had failed to levitate a pencil for the third time in a row. “Your fear is blocking your connection to your power.”
Mira sighed, frustration evident in every line of her body. “I can’t help it. Every time I try to access my magic, I remember how it felt when I lost control. What if I hurt someone next time?”
Ms. Leung regarded her thoughtfully. “Perhaps we’ve been going about this the wrong way,” she mused. “Tell me, Mira - when do you feel most at peace?”
The question caught Mira off guard. She thought for a moment, then said hesitantly, “When I’m reading, I guess. Or when I’m outside in nature.”
A slow smile spread across Ms. Leung’s face. “Perfect. I think it’s time we took your lessons out of the library.”
The next day, instead of meeting in their usual spot, Ms. Leung led Mira to a small, secluded park on the outskirts of town. As they settled onto a grassy knoll beneath an old oak tree, Mira felt some of the tension leave her shoulders.
“Now,” Ms. Leung said, “I want you to close your eyes and just listen. Feel the grass beneath you, the breeze on your skin. Let yourself become part of the world around you.”
Mira did as instructed, surprised at how quickly she felt herself relaxing. The gentle rustle of leaves, the distant call of birds, the warmth of the sun on her face - it all blended into a soothing symphony.
“Good,” Ms. Leung’s voice came softly. “Now, without opening your eyes, I want you to reach out with your other senses. Feel for the energy in the living things around you.”
At first, Mira wasn’t sure what she was supposed to be sensing. But then, gradually, she became aware of… something. A faint thrumming, like a heartbeat just on the edge of hearing. It seemed to pulse in time with her own breath.
“I feel it,” she whispered, awed.
“That’s the life force of the natural world,” Ms. Leung explained. “Your magic is connected to that energy. It’s not separate from you, or from the world around you. It’s all part of the same great tapestry.”
As the lesson continued, Mira found herself slipping into an almost meditative state. For the first time since the incident with Tyler, she felt truly at peace with her abilities.
The breakthrough couldn’t have come at a better time. Because unbeknownst to Mira, a storm was brewing - one that would test not just her magical skills, but her courage and compassion as well.
It started innocuously enough. Ethan, who had become a fixture in Mira’s life since the day she’d defended him, showed up at her door one Saturday morning looking uncharacteristically serious.
“Can we talk?” he asked, fidgeting nervously. “Somewhere private?”
Concerned, Mira led him to her backyard treehouse - a relic from her younger days that had become something of a sanctuary since she’d started her magical training.
Once they were settled, Ethan took a deep breath. “I think… I think I might have powers too.”
Mira’s eyebrows shot up. “What? Are you sure?”
Ethan nodded, his expression a mix of excitement and fear. “Weird things have been happening lately. Like, I’ll be thinking about something I need for school, and suddenly it’ll appear in my backpack. Or I’ll wish it would stop raining, and the clouds will clear up almost instantly.”
Mira listened intently, her mind racing. Could it be possible? She’d assumed Ethan was just a normal kid, albeit an unusually accepting one when it came to magic.
“Have you told anyone else?” she asked.
Ethan shook his head. “Just you. I… I was kind of hoping you could help me figure it out.”
A warm feeling spread through Mira’s chest. The idea that Ethan trusted her enough to come to her with this meant more than she could express.
“Of course I’ll help,” she said firmly. “We should probably talk to Ms. Leung, though. She’ll know more about how to test for magical ability.”
But before they could make any plans, a commotion from the street caught their attention. Raised voices, the slam of car doors, the sound of running feet.
Mira and Ethan exchanged worried glances, then scrambled down from the treehouse. What they saw when they reached the front yard stopped them in their tracks.
A group of stern-looking men and women in dark suits were fanning out across the cul-de-sac. Some carried what looked like scientific equipment, while others had their hands hovering near concealed weapons.
In the center of it all stood Tyler, looking both smug and terrified as he pointed towards Mira’s house. “That’s her,” they heard him say. “The witch.”
Mira felt her blood run cold. She grabbed Ethan’s arm, hissing, “We need to get out of here. Now.”
But it was too late. One of the suited figures had spotted them. “There!” he shouted, pointing. “Don’t let them escape!”
As the agents converged on them, Mira made a split-second decision. She raised her hands, calling on the magical energy she’d been so afraid of.
“Ethan,” she said urgently, “whatever happens, stay close to me.”
A shimmering barrier sprang into existence around them just as the first agent reached for Mira’s arm. He recoiled as if shocked, staring at the magical shield in disbelief.
“Stand down, girl,” a authoritative voice called out. A woman stepped forward, her bearing clearly marking her as the leader. “We’re not here to hurt you. We just want to talk.”
Mira stood her ground, though she could feel the strain of maintaining the barrier. “Who are you? What do you want?”
The woman’s expression softened slightly. “My name is Agent Carlisle. I’m with a… specialized branch of the government. We monitor and manage supernatural activity.”
Ethan pressed closer to Mira, whispering, “Don’t trust them. This feels wrong.”
Mira nodded almost imperceptibly. Something about this whole situation set her on edge.
“If you just want to talk,” she called out, “then why bring an armed team to a residential neighborhood?”
Agent Carlisle had the grace to look slightly abashed. “Standard procedure, I’m afraid. We had reports of significant magical activity in the area. We had to be prepared for anything.”
As she spoke, Mira became aware of a growing commotion behind the agents. Neighbors were emerging from their houses, drawn by the unusual activity. She spotted her mother pushing through the crowd, face pale with worry.
“Mira!” Mrs. Johnson called out. “What’s going on?”
Before Mira could respond, Agent Carlisle turned to address the gathering crowd. “Ladies and gentlemen, please return to your homes. This is a matter of national security.”
The statement only seemed to agitate the neighbors further. Voices rose in confusion and anger.
Mira felt panic rising in her chest. This was spiraling out of control fast. She needed to do something, but what?
Suddenly, Ethan grabbed her hand. “Mira,” he said urgently, “I have an idea. But you have to trust me.”
She met his eyes, saw the determination there. Without hesitation, she nodded. “What do you need me to do?”
“Lower the barrier,” he said. “And be ready to amplify whatever I do.”
Mira’s eyes widened as she realized what he was suggesting. It was risky - they had no idea how their powers might interact. But at this point, they were out of options.
Taking a deep breath, Mira let the shimmering shield fade away. Immediately, two agents moved to grab them.
But before they could make contact, Ethan threw his hands out. A wave of… something… rippled through the air. It wasn’t visible, exactly, but Mira could feel it washing over her.
Acting on instinct, she channeled her own magic into the wave, amplifying and shaping it. The effect was immediate and startling.
Every person in the cul-de-sac - agents, neighbors, even Tyler - suddenly froze in place. Their eyes glazed over, expressions going blank.
Mira stared in amazement. “What did you do?”
Ethan looked equally shocked. “I… I think I made them forget. But I’ve never done anything on this scale before.”
As they watched, the spell seemed to take hold. The agents blinked, looking around in confusion. The neighbors began to drift back to their houses, as if they’d simply stepped out to check the mail.
Agent Carlisle shook her head, frowning. “I’m sorry, what were we doing here again?”
One of her subordinates checked a device in his hand. “Ma’am, I’m not detecting any unusual energy signatures. I think this might have been a false alarm.”
The lead agent nodded slowly. “Right. Well, let’s pack it up then. Sorry for the disturbance, folks.”
As quickly as they had arrived, the agents piled back into their vehicles and drove away. Within minutes, the cul-de